Pit Bulls and Pit Mixes are the Town’s Priority for “Spay it Forward”

Farmingville, NY – The Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter has launched “Spay it Forward”, a program that offers incentives to get animals spayed and neutered. This new program is presently concentrating on the ever-growing Pit Bull population in our township. For every Pit Bull that a resident gets spayed or neutered, the owner will receive a voucher to help another needy Pit Bull to receive the same services. The goal of this program is to help curb over-population and increase education and awareness about adopting Pit Bulls. Concentrating on spaying and neutering and pet identification means less breeding and increased adoptions and pet retention.

The Animal Shelter is also providing free micro-chipping, vaccines, heartworm testing, and collars for anyone who gets their Pit Bull spayed or neutered. Pit Bulls and Pit Mixes make up 95% of the approximately 200 dogs at the Brookhaven Animal Shelter.

“This is a wonderful program that allows residents to “Spay it Forward”. When a resident brings their Pit Bull to be spayed or neutered, a friend’s Pit Bull will receive free spaying and neutering services. This continues Brookhaven’s efforts to find loving homes for Pit Bulls who have been at our shelter for far too long and is made possible through charitable contributions, not taxpayer dollars,” said Brookhaven Supervisor Mark Lesko.

“I commend Dori Scofield, our Animal Shelter Director, for creating another innovative service that will improve the health and quality of life of the animals and their families. The best part about it is that the "Spay it Forward" program is free and is made possible by donations, not taxpayer dollars,” said Councilwoman Jane Bonner, Liaison to the Animal Shelter.

“It is my goal to educate Brookhaven residents about the importance of spaying and neutering and responsible pet ownership. It is my hope that this program will result in more pets being spayed and neutered in the Town. Our shelter is always full of deserving companions and I encourage residents to come and visit the shelter,” said Dori Scofield, Animal Shelter Director.

If you are a resident of the Town of Brookhaven and would like to take advantage of “Spay it Forward”, call 631-286-4940, extension 12. No appointment is needed for the free micro-chipping service.

The Town is also encouraging local veterinarians to contribute their services to this program. The Animal Shelter has many accredited, wonderful local veterinarians who are on board with Spay it Forward. The shelter hopes to expand the program in the future for all companion animals.

Spay it Forward is another example of the Town of Brookhaven’s efforts to increase adoptions of Pit Bulls and Pit Mixes. The Brookhaven Bully Alliance (BBA), which was announced earlier this year, encourages other animal rescues to adopt Pit Bulls from the Brookhaven animal shelter and find loving homes for them. Every shelter dog that enters the BBA program is professionally evaluated, spayed or neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped. $250 goes to each participating organization for the care of the animal.

The Town does not use taxpayer dollars to fund Spay it Forward or the Brookhaven Bully Alliance- the funds to pay participating organizations are provided by the Help the Animals Fund. The Help the Animals Fund is currently accepting donations and will be sponsoring various fundraising events to support this program and others. Residents who would like to sponsor one of the shelter’s Pit Bulls can donate by visiting www.brookhaven.org/animalshelter and clicking the Help the Animals Fund link.

The Animal Shelter is located at 300 Horseblock Road in Brookhaven, NY and is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Division of Public Information * Office of the Supervisor
One Independence Hill • Farmingville • NY 11738 • Phone (631) 451-6595 • Fax (631) 451-6258